Welburn Gunning for National

Gunner Welburn, fourth in last season’s Martell Cognac Grand National, is on course for another crack at the Aintree marathon following his return to winning form in a dramatic skybet.com Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby yesterday.

Andrew Balding’s rising 12-year-old gave his supporters heart-stopping moments with mistakes at the fifth-last and three out, but Richard McGrath kept the partnership going to hold the persistent challenge of Skippers Cleuch by four lengths.